Session: A Journey into Sound – The Evolution of Music Creation, Production and Performance

Thursday, 20.09.2018, 11:45 – 12:45 @ East Hotel C1

Language: English

Hardly a week goes by without the announcement of new and innovative tools to create, manipulate and perform music in different ways. Countless crowdfunded ideas have aimed at making music creation more fun. Even Google, usually not considered a close ally of the music industry, presented its first AI based synthesizer. It has clearly never been as much fun to play with music. How will the creative process evolve in the coming years and with it music itself?

Moderator:

Ronny Krieger, CEO, MOD Devices, GER

In the past 25 years Ronny has been involved in pretty much all areas of the international music business. Originally a banker at the corporate lending department, he soon followed his passion for music as an artist, dj and producer, later pr agent for press and radio, label- and artist management (Modeselektor, Moderat, Monkeytown Records, kanzleramt, 50 Weapons...). He worked in distribution (EFA Medien), at a record store and lead a download shop (VP & CPO of Beatport). There are probably about 2 dozen records and remixes he has released under various names.

He is a member of the VUT board (the German association for independent music companies) and has been occasionally teaching Digital Media, Social Media Marketing, International Music Business at the e.b.a.m. academy and Popakademie Baden-Württemberg.

Since 2010 he has been working as a freelance consultant and advisor for companies like FatDrop, DJBroadcast, Shutterstock, Digitally Imported, Skoove, LANDR, Native Instruments and others.

As Director of Content at Native Instruments he was in charge of the Stems and Traktor Remix Set content and led the communication with retail-, distribution- and label partners.

In January 2018, Ronny was appointed the role of CEO at MOD Devices, a new music hardware and software company from Germany.

Ronny is living in Berlin, is married and father of 2 wonderful kids. He is enjoying a healthy life style (no alcohol, no drugs, no cigarettes) and cares about his nutrition and recovery. He trains Crossfit 7-8 hours per week. Ronny is not a runner, but once a year he enjoys a Tough Mudder obstacle race and collects the colourful finisher headbands (which he never actually wears).

Panelists:

Dennis DeSantis, Head of Documentation, Ableton AG, GER

Foto: Ralf Kleinermanns

Dennis DeSantis is a composer, sound designer, author, and percussionist. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music. His electronic music appears on labels such as Ghostly, Global Underground, Cocoon and Kanzleramt, and he has performed throughout North America, Europe, and Japan. Recent highlights include commissions from the Whitney Museum, the Staatsoper Stuttgart and Carnegie Hall. DeSantis is the Head of Documentation for Ableton, and previously worked as a sound designer for Native Instruments.

Steinunn has been a part of the Native Instruments team for over 8 years and currently holds the position of Engineering Director with focus on Data and Innovation topics. Previously she was a part of Native's Research team as a DSP Developer where she worked on audio effects such as compressors, limiters, reverbs and filters for most of Native’s product range, including Maschine, Traktor, GuitarRig and Kontakt. She received a B.Sc. in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2006 from University of Iceland, M.A. in Music Science and Technology in 2008 and M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering in 2010, both from Stanford University.

Maria Baptists' genuine artistry, splendid virtuosity and charming personality have brought her to the top of Europe's current jazz scene — she once gave a private piano concert for Michael Jackson, received numerous awards, is touring worldwide, leads her own orchestra and has released eleven CDs as a band leader. New York City is Maria’s home of heart, Berlin her home-base of choice.

Jazz legend Maria Schneider sums up the inspiring power of Maria Baptist’s music in this way: „Her music is a gift, infused with all the creativity, power, emotion, generosity and warmth that she exudes in life.“

Mark Verbos, Owner & Designer, Verbos Electronics GmbH, GER

Fotocredit: Sonya Verbos | Verbos Electronics GmbH

Mark Verbos is the designer and owner of Verbos Electronics GmbH, a manufacturer of Eurorack format synthesizer modules since 2013. Mark is a music producer, performer, engineer and technician with 25 years of experience.